Nilon noted in his memo to the board of supervisors that the general fund budget was designed “with the primary focus of keeping departments at a status quo staffing level and utilizing one-time sources for one-time expenditures or designations to the greatest extent possible.”

The CAO added that fiscal prudence is of the utmost importance in light of staffing expectations for a new jail three years down the road that will cost the county general fund at least $25 million. Additional factors include financing a new Animal Control facility, and “enduring the financial stress of Kern Medical Center and the unknown financial impact of the Affordable Care Act.”

Kern County will take a $9 million hit in property tax revenue due to a decline of property owned by a natural gas company, one of Kern County's largest industries.

General government appropriations will see a sharp drop in the preliminary budget, with $91.89 million recommended for the 23 departments and accounts under the category.

This is down from $133 million in 2013's budget, in part because no money is attributed to the general government capital improvement projects account. In 2013, it was funded with $22.3 million.

Recommended funding for the Kern County Supervisor Mick Gleason's office operations, which include Ridgecrest, Randsburg, Inyokern and Johannesburg, will receive $560,966.

Overall, most departmental spending will increase over last year, in part due to negotiated salary increases.

Most departments, however, will remain status quo in terms of staffing and operations. The Sheriff’s Department will likely shed one position. The recommended budget appropriations for the Sheriff's Department is $165.7 million, $2 million less than requested by the department.

Kern County Fire Department will see no additional changes in staffing, and the CAO is recommending $120 million for FY 2014. However, the fire service contributions from local municipalities that rely on KCFD for service is projected to fall.

“The general fund contribution supplements the fire fund and is used for general operating expenses,” according to the budget document. “The preliminary recommended budget includes an increase of $1 million due to a large assessment roll correction that is reducing the amount of property taxes received by the fire fund by approximately $3.9 million per year.”

Page 2 of 2 - The board of supervisors are set to hold hearings beginning Aug. 27 at 9 a.m. in Bakersfield, and will convene an evening meeting Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. to allow the public to comment on the budget.